Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

K-12 field trip admission to the museum is FREE for homeschool groups of 10 or more K-12 students (not including chaperones or teachers). Additional programming fees and IMAX® Theater admission prices vary. Free admission includes one additional adult per every five students. Additional chaperones pay the group admission rate of $17/person. Call 317.232.1637 for programming fees. Museum memberships do not apply to field trips. Registration deadline for field trips is one (1) week prior. 

School programs are available to groups of 15 or more early childhood through grade 12 students.

Not sure what the museum has to offer? Try us out first – for FREE! Admission is complimentary for all Indiana early childhood-grade 12 teachers with proper identification. Members of the Indiana Association of Homeschool Educators receive free daily admission with proof of membership.

The IMAX® Theater is dedicated to providing a wide range of large-format films designed to educate, enlighten and entertain your students, and provide you a powerful teaching tool that is easily integrated into your existing curriculum. The reduced K-12 admission rate for groups, teachers and chaperones make the IMAX® Theater an affordable class outing! CLICK HERE to see show listings then call 317.232.1637 to purchase your tickets. 

Explore the museum galleries at your own pace with a self-guided field trip. One adult is required for every five students. Early childhood field trip admission to the museum is $6/student & chaperone; teachers and teacher assistants are free for pre-registered, licensed childcare centers and preschool groups of 10 or more (not including chaperones or teachers/teacher assistants). 

Early Childhood Journey Programs 
Bring your class to the museum to enjoy a STEAM-based program that includes storytime, sensory and hands-on activities and open-ended play in addition to some free time to explore the exhibits. 

Early Childhood Outreach Programs 
Can’t come to the museum? Then the museum will come to you!  We’ll bring all the activities from a journey program to your school.   

Please contact Dru Sherfick, early childhood programs manager, at 317.264.9867 or [email protected] for more information. 

Out-Of-School Time Field Trip Rates
Visit the museum after school hours, on summer break, or during school breaks to receive the field trip admission rate of $6/student (ages 3-17), one free adult per every 10 students, and $11/additional adult chaperone. One adult is required for every 10 students. 

Out-of-School Time Outreach Programs
Looking for a one-time visit, multi-week session or weekly programs throughout the year? Let us custom design interactive, hands-on, minds-on programs in STEM, art, history and culture just for you! 

Please contact Amanda Wollenweber, out-of-school time program manager, at 463.276.4837 or [email protected] for more information. 

1.  Students must be accompanied by a chaperone at all times, and everyone is asked to behave in a respectful manner.
2. Groups damaging or destroying museum property, or otherwise not being adequately supervised, will be asked to leave.
3. Some objects in the galleries may be touched, and are indicated as such. Please remind chaperones and students that objects behind barriers such as ropes, wires or glass are not meant to be touched. If in doubt, please don’t touch, climb on, or move an object on display.
4. Food and drinks are not permitted in the galleries.
5. Please refrain from flash photography in the galleries. The light can damage fragile objects and artifacts.

A chaperone-to-student ratio of 1:5 is required. Required chaperones are free, and additional chaperones pay the group admission rate.

Reserve your complimentary lunchroom space at the museum ahead of time. Reservations are available in 30 minute blocks and are taken on a first-come, first-served basis by calling 317.232.1637. 

Adult chaperones visiting the museum will receive a discount voucher for the White River State Park garage. Free parking is available with the purchase of an IMAX® ticket. During the field trip reservation process, we will provide you with the location of bus parking. 

All programs are designed to meet select Indiana Academic Standards – see them in the Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Program Guide catalog. K–12 programs include career connections.

Add an Educational Theater Performance

Participate in interactive live theater performances in your own classroom. Your students will find themselves in the thick of the action!

Add a School Program

During your field trip, schedule a themed school program tailored to your group’s ages. We have a variety of options to choose from that will complement the learning in your classroom.

Add an IMAX® Film

The IMAX® Theater is dedicated to providing a wide range of large-format films designed to educate, enlighten and entertain your students, and provide you a powerful teaching tool that is easily integrated into your existing curriculum. The reduced K-12 admission rate for groups, teachers and chaperones makes the IMAX® Theater an affordable class outing! Click here to see show listings, then call 317.232.1637 to purchase your tickets.

Separate payments must be made to the Indiana State Museum and IMAX® Theater.

Admission to the state historic sites is FREE for pre-scheduled, accredited school or homeschool groups of 10 or more K-12 students. Free admission includes teachers and bus drivers, plus one (required) adult chaperone per every five students. Additional chaperones will pay the group admission rate per person. Members of the Indiana Association of Homeschool Educators receive free daily admission with proof of membership. Additional site programming fees may apply. Please check with the individual sites for specific information. Admission for non-Indiana students varies by site.

Admission is FREE for all early childhood-grade 12 teachers with proper identification. Show your teacher ID when you visit and discover what the state historic sites have for you and your students.

All state historic sites support Indiana Academic Standards—check the Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Program Guide (starting on p. 36) to learn about the standards met by historic site programs. Each site also features different academic topics. If you’re looking for a unique program that helps bring history, science, art and education to life for your students, you may request a specialty program (based on the academic topic offered at the site) for an additional fee.